Black Maria Film fest returns

The Edison & Ford Winter Estates, Edison State College and BIG ARTS will bring the Thomas Edison Black Maria Film Festival to Florida for a third season since the festival began its national tour in 1981.

Colleges and museums throughout the country host the festival. It showcases independent and experimental film and video. The Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences recognizes the Black Maria as an Academy Awards qualifying festival for short films.

April 3: Edison & Ford Winter Estates, 7:30 p.m.

Films will be shown and refreshments served outdoors on the Ford Estate lawn. Estates members free, non-members $7, Edison students $5.

April 4: Edison College, 7:30 p.m.

Films will be shown in the Corbin Auditorium. Edison students free, admission $7.

April 6: BIG ARTS, 7 p.m

Films will be shown in the Schein Performance Hall, Sanibel. Admission $7, Edison students $5.

Festival director and founder John Columbus will introduce the films and facilitate discussion afterwards.

Tickets may be bought in advance at the Edison & Ford Winter Estates, Edison State College or BIG ARTS. For more information, call 334-7419 or visit www.efwefla.org, www.edison.edu, www.bigarts.com or www.blackmariafilmfestival. org.